# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S87 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 87 WHEREAS, The resolution began with a highly subjective and prejudicial account of the history of the controversy involv- ing the former faculty; and WHEREAS, Its Preamble is a series of grievous accusations involving complex theological reasoning and highly debatable judgments: and WHEREAS, Our synodical Constitution clearly indicates that matters of doctrine and conscience are not decided by majority vote: and WHEREAS. The entire resolution, with its Introduction and Preamble, is the very antithesis of the way we are exhorted in Holy Scripture to deal with one another in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 1:4—4:21; 12:4-11; Eph. 4:1-16; Col. 3:12-17): therefore be it Resolved. That this convention declare Resolution 3-09 to be null and void; and be it further Resolved. That the convention express regrets that such grievous charges were voted on in a forum where sheer size and emotional climate made it impossible to deal with them adequately and evangelically: and be it finally Resolved. That the convention indicate clearly that the majority vote of the convention in no way determined that the former faculty or any member of it is guilty of false doctrine which “cannot be tolerated in the church of God.” Zion Lutheran Church Ferguson, Mo. Robert Negwer, President Cheri Pick. Secretary Identical or similar: 3-76B to 3-76G Zion, Westwood, N. J. Eastern District Peace, New Berlin, Wis. Our Savior, Orlando, Fla. Faith, Kirksville, Mo. University, Los Angeles, Calif. Norman Brinkmann Herman Frincke Martin Bangert Samuel! Hoard Mark Appold Roger Timm 3-T7A To Rescind New Orleans Resolution 3-09 WHEREAS. The 1973 New Orleans Resolution 3-09 placed a terrible judgment upon the majority of the former faculty of Concordia Seminary. St. Louis: and WHEREAS. It was a serious mistake to allow this type of resolution to be debated at a convention: and WHEREAS, The convention delegates (many not realizing it) became a jury to judge the theology of people they did not know: and WHEREAS. This resolution paved the way for the Board of Control’s February 1974 dismissal of the faculty majority: therefore be it Resolved. That the New Orleans Resolution 3-09 be re- scinded: and be it futher Resolved. That this convention apologize to the offended faculty members for the unnecessary hurt and pain inflicted on them: and be it finally Resolved. That the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary be instructed to help all dismissed faculty find adequate positions of service and ministry within the church. Grace Lutheran Church Union, N. J. James Edwards, Secretary Identical or similar: 3-77B to 3-77F First Trinity, Washington, D.C. Trinity, Long Island City, N. Y. Our Redeemer, Lake City, Fla. Trinity, Carney’s Point, N. J. Immanuel, New York, N. Y. David Preisinger Geo. Sommermeyer James Bachman Gerald Grimm Raymond Schulze 3-78 To Rescind Res. 3-09 WHEREAS. Resolution 3-09 of the 1973 convention declares that the ‘doctrinal stance of the faculty majority of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has been shown to be in violation of Art. II of the Synod's Constitution. specifically on... a. subversion of the authority of Scripture (formal principle): b. “Gospelism’” or “Gospel reductionism’ whereby the authority of Scripture is reduced to its *Gospel’’ content: c. denial of the third use of the Law. i. e., the function of the Law as guide for the Christian in his life”: and WHEREAS. The same resolution resolves that the “matters referred to in the second resolved are in fact false doctrine running counter to the Holy Scriptures. the Lutheran Confes- sions, and the synodical stance™’: and WHEREAS. The “matters referred to"’ are not the same as those listed in the whereas quoted above, but to an “attitude toward Holy Scripture. particularly as regards its authority and clarity, which reduces to theological opinion or exegetical questions matters which are in fact clearly taught in Scripture (é. g.. facticity of miracle accounts and their details... ete.)”: and WHEREAS. The declaring of false doctrine on the basis of an “attitude”: and on the basis of examples (e. g.) which conclude with an “etc.” is not clear and convincing: therefore be it Resolved. That the LCMS in the 1975 convention rescind Resolution 3-09 of the 1973 convention. Texas Pastors-Teachers Conference #3 Katherine Bolland, Secretary 3-79 To Rescind 3-09 and Ask God's Forgiveness WHEREAS. Resolution 3-09 of the New Orleans Convention condemns the “faculty majority position” of the former faculty of Concordia Seminary. St. Louis: and WHEREAS. The Commission on Constitutional Matters has ruled that the above resolution does not condemn any of the individuals among the ‘faculty majority": and WHEREAS. This differentiation appears to many to be very confusing if not completely incomprehensible: therefore be it Resolved. That Res. 3-09 (N.O.) be rescinded: and be it further Resolved. That any substantiated charge against specific individuals be documented by proper authorities, and if such charges cannot be documented, that a resolution of apology be tendered by this convention to those members of the former ‘faculty majority” against whom such charges cannot be made: and be it finally Resolved. That we all ask God’s forgiveness for allowing the good name and livelihood of those men (against whom charges cannot be made) to have been jeoparized. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Milwaukee, Wis. John Sinetz, Chairman Beverly J. Fuchs, Secretary David K. Rochrohr, Pastor 3-80 To Rescind N. O. Res. 3-09 WHEREAS. In Resolution 3-09 the convention of 1973 con- demned the faculty majority of Concordia Seminary. St. Louis, for teaching “false doctrine not to be tolerated in the church of God” without due-process steps designated to assure fairness and justice and without designating which faculty members were being charged: and